News about the Digital TV Transition occurring in 2009 is finally starting to get around. I know this because my technically-oblivious relatives have been asking me about it during our family gatherings this holiday season. Most of them have a vague understanding of what the DTV Transition is all about, but ultimately they were still left asking, "But how will the Digital Transition affect me?" I can only assume there are many others out there in the same predicament, so I thought I would lay it out here, nice and clean.
Good News! You don't have to part with your analog TV.
First, I would like to clarify one major point. Yes, you will still be able to use your old, wood-veneered, curved screen, analog, CRT television even after the transition occurs. However, your analog TV will only work with the aid of a digital converter box. Without this converter box, your analog television will not be able to pick up the digital signals using simple bunny-ears or a roof-top antenna. You'll have to cough up some cash to buy these converter boxes, but they are much cheaper than buying a new TV. You'll also need a digital converter box for each of your devices that only have analog tuners, such as an analog-only VCR or DVD recorder. Some households will qualify to receive up to 2 coupons worth $40 each toward the purchase of digital converter boxes. More information about the coupon program can be found at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/index.html or by calling 1-888-DTV-2009.
Cable and Satellite TV Subscribers
Cable customers will need to make sure they have a set-top box that can receive digital television signals, then convert the signals into the format of your analog television. If you are a satellite TV customer, you will likely only need to change set-top boxes if you want to upgrade to receive High-Definition (HD) programming. Viewing HD TV will require a television capable of displaying HD; your old analog TV will not be able to display HD quality signals.
You can still use your current antennas
If you're currently relying on a good VHF and UHF antenna to receive your television signals, either indoors or on the roof, you will not have to upgrade to an "HD Ready" antenna. This is because DTV broadcasters have been assigned channels in the VHF and UHF bands, between 54 and 700 MHz, where analog channels 2 to 51 are now. As long as a DTV signal is available in your area, your existing antenna should still work even after the transition is complete.
Of course, a change can be good...
If you're just looking for a good excuse to upgrade your current TV to a nice flat panel, like an LCD TV or Plasma TV model, you'll find them with built-in digital tuners. With a built-in digital tuner, you won't need a converter box. Careful though, some stores may still be selling models without built-in digital tuners. The FCC has mandated a Consumer Alert be displayed with any TV equipment with only an analog broadcast tuner. On AllAmericanDirect.com, you won't find any analog TVs, or TVs without built-in tuners.
For more information on the DTV and the DTV Transition, visit www.2009Countdown.com. Or for the government's official consumer site regarding the transition, visit www.dtv.gov.
